The engineering solutions provider has created a training academy staffed by experienced electricians and engineers which allows all employees, including their apprentices, the chance to further their knowledge of Standard Products. People who attend the academy are trained to fault find and set up instruments. Ultimately, all employees will be trained to be multi-skilled.

IDS has built a selection of test booths and control panels in their workshop to enable apprentices to train offline. The booths are also be used to practice before their FICA (Final Integrated Competence Assessment), which is the last part of their electrical apprenticeship that they must pass to become fully qualified electricians.

IDS director, Iain Doherty, said: “Our academy allows us to train our new recruits and our existing teams – we want to ensure all of our people in the business are continually developing and learning.

“We’re delighted to have won this award – it demonstrates how hard our people have worked with our apprentices and to get this academy up and running.”

Executive director for M Group Services’ Water Division, David Sanderson, said: “By hiring these apprentices and developing the training academy, we know that we are enabling our managers and leaders of the future.

“IDS will provide young people in Scotland with the skills, knowledge and practical experience needed to develop both personally and professionally. Congratulations for winning this well-deserved award.”

IDS was also shortlisted for the Women in Industry award for the integral role they have played in M Group Services’ Water Division Women’s Network (WDWN). The WDWN is a network of colleagues who meet regularly to take action for positive change, with the aim of creating a more inclusive business and work environment.

Apprentice electrician Dylan McSween, a graduate of the IDS training academy, was shortlisted for the Young Person of the Year award. Dylan has been a great role model for his fellow apprentices, showing great initiative and dedication in his studies, training, and operational delivery.

IDS provide mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation, and telemetry (MEICAT) engineering solutions. They were acquired by M Group Services in 2020.